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Comprehensive Climate Data for Caribou Monitoring and Analysis

Utilize CARMA's Climate Database and MERRA data to monitor and assess the impacts of global change on caribou herds. Conduct cross-herd habitat comparisons, analyze climate variables, and define seasonal ranges for better understanding and protection of caribou populations. Access and analyze over 100 climate variables across the circumpolar north to support research and conservation efforts.

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Comprehensive Climate Data for Caribou Monitoring and Analysis

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  1. S. Thorisson L. Witter CARMA’s Climate database J. Fox

  2. Why a CARMA climate database • CARMA’s goal to monitor and assess impacts of global change on caribou • Major approach is cross-herd comparisons • Need to compare (how are herd habitats similar) and contrast (how are herd habitats different) • Climate plays a central role in controlling caribou abundance and distribution • Ideal to have one source for the data – climate data

  3. 1979 – 2010 daily data available for over 100 variables across the circumpolar north

  4. …a few words about MERRA data • Universal coverage for over the last 30 years • Brings together all climate data within the satellite era • Ensures that different satellite provide a consistent measure of the environment • Data at least daily and, for example temperature, every 3 hours • 72 variables offered • Grid size ½ degree latitude by 2/3 degree longitude • Data is available to download within months • Estimate for CARMA to provide annual updates is ~ 18 hours – of which 15 hours is for MERRA data download

  5. STEP 1. DEFINE SEASONAL RANGES

  6. 8 polygons per herd for example – Bluenose West Herd summer calving tundra fall taiga winter spring whole herd

  7. 2 types of tables created Seasonal range tables Caribou movement tables calving calving summer summer winter winter fall fall 104 grids PCH winter 219 grids Taimyr winter

  8. Caribou-relevant climate derivatives winter spring/calving autumn summer autumn

  9. …a few examples:comparing years for a herd (summer temperature)

  10. …a few examples:comparing herds (summer temperature)

  11. …a few examples:snow depth comparing herds

  12. …a few examples:snow depth comparing years

  13. …a few examples:snow depth comparing years

  14. …a few examples:some caribou-specific variables

  15. How much data? • MERRA raw data 21.5 Gbytes • Polygon focused tables 2.1 Gbytes • Caribou focused tables 138 Mbytes • TOTAL ~ 25 GBytes

  16. Some questions for the breakout • Data quality? – Greenness Index, Leaf Area Index • validation • Documentation needs? • Access? • Additional caribou related variables? • Are there basic summaries needed? • Trend analysis? • Tele-connections? • Update schedule – annual, timing?

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